Annual General Meeting

Our Area Governor, Ann Holmes, attended today’s AGM. It was her last visit to us as Area Governor, a position she has held for the last four years, but she assured us she would be visiting us again in her personal capacity.

In her opening remarks following the approval of last year’s minutes, President Anne Moriaty reviewed the past events of the Rotary year. We have held a number of successful events, of which she thought our Santa’s Grotto at the Frost Fair was the highlight. The Presidents of all five Rotary Clubs in Chelmsford have continued to meet regularly and have now been joined by the President of the Rotary Club of Ingatestone.

She thanked all Club members for their support during the year, particularly the Club Officers and the Chairs of the service committees. She said how much she had enjoyed her year so far and wished the incoming President, Francis Whitbread, equal enjoyment during his year.

Our Treasurer, Bob Booker, then ran through the expected Club costs for the next Rotary year and told the members that the Council was recommending a £4 increase in the annual subscription from £131 to £135 per year. This was agreed.

The Chairs of the various committees then invited questions on their reports, which had been circulated in advance. There weren’t any.

In her comments, the Area Governor said that she thought that President Anne’s term of office to date had been excellent, with the President and her husband opening their home for Rotary events on occasions and new initiatives started.

The Area Governor then presented Long Service Certificates to two members who had both achieved 45 years of membership but had not been present at the previous award of certificates. They were John Parkinson (pictured) and our oldest member, Dennis Fountain.